Do I need a licence to fly a trike?

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations are very clear in this matter� you must have a current recognised licence to fly any type of aircraft - and the aircraft itself must be licensed.

How much time will it take me to get my licence?

It is very difficult to give a definitive answer to this question as students are so different. Our governing body, Recreational Aviation Australia (RA-Aus), mandates an absolute minimum of 20 hours instruction time before a Pilot Certificate may be granted. However, only students with other aviation experience would be able to achieve licence standard at minimum hours. The average student will reach licence standard in about 35 hours.

How much time will it take me to get to solo stage?

Again, individual differences mean that it is difficult to give a definite answer but, average students generally reach solo stage somewhere between 20 and 30 hours.

What are the realistic costs involved in getting a licence?

Instruction costs are set out on the Flight Training page. However, it is realistic to allow for a total of between $5,000 and $7,000. For comparison, a General Aviation (GA) licence to fly a single-engine Cessna-type aircraft will cost you in excess of $15,000.

Is there much study involved in gaining a licence to fly?

There is some theory to be covered and some study involved but it is not too onerous and your instructor will help you through it. You will be required to pass a Pre-Solo exam, a Radio Operators exam and a Basic Aeronautical Knowledge (BAK) exam prior to gaining your restricted licence. The Cross-Country Endorsement, which entails some navigation studies, qualifies you as an unrestricted pilot and allows you to fly anywhere in Australia - with some exceptions as noted below.

How do I learn the theory required?

Theory is covered in a number of ways. Your instructor will discuss some topics as you fly and some will be treated in pre-flight and post-flight briefings. There will be some structured lessons to attend and you will be expected to purchase and become familiar with some books which cover the full range of theory requirements. Your instructor will guide you in the selection of reading material.

Do I need to be physically strong to fly a trike?

Manipulating the control frame on a trike requires no more than average dexterity or physical strength. World-wide, there are many female (and lightly-framed male) pilots who can attest that only minimal physical strength is needed.

Will I need a medical examination before I can get a licence?

To fly a microlight aircraft, there are no medical requirements beyond those required for the holding of a driver�s licence.

Must I join Recreational Aviation Australia?

Yes. To continue training past three hours you are required to be a member of Recreational Aviation Australia (RA-Aus).

Why must I join the RA-Aus?

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has delegated to Recreational Aviation Australia (RA-Aus) the authority to manage and oversee the operation of a number of aircraft types including weight-shift microlights. This delegated authority only applies to current members of the organisation.
For the first three hours of training you are covered by your instructor�s third-party liability insurance. After this time, you must have your own insurance cover which is included in your membership fee.

Do I need to buy my own trike?

For your early training, you will probably be using the instructor�s trike. However, by the time you have progressed to solo standard, you will need to have made a purchasing decision as the instructor will need that trike to train other students. To continue training past that point, you will need your own trike.

How much does it cost to buy a trike?

How long is a piece of string? New trikes start from close to $30,000 and can be optioned up to more than $75,000. There are some second-hand trikes available but not all are what they seem. Your instructor can be relied upon to give you the best advice about any decision to purchase a trike.

What are the on-going operating costs?

Rotax 503 and 582 trike engines generally use about 14 to 16 litres of fuel per hour while the Rotax 912 engines use 9 to 11 litres per hour. In addition, you will need to allow for ongoing  maintenance costs for servicing at 25 hour or 50 hour intervals.

Who carries out the maintenance and service requirements on trikes?

No-one except a Licenced Aircraft Mechanical Engineer (LAME) may carry out any work on a conventional aircraft which is an expensive exercise. Trike owners, on the other hand, are allowed to carry out much of their own basic maintenance. For those tasks requiring an expert hand, Brendan is an RA-Aus Level 2 Maintenance Authority and can be contracted to complete these tasks.

Are there any restrictions on trike operations? Can I fly my trike anywhere?

As a trade-off for being allowed to carry out our own servicing and maintenance, there are some restrictions on microlight operations but once you have gained your Cross-Country Endorsement, you may fly virtually anywhere in Australia except in controlled air-space, which is the area around international airports where there is a manned control tower and where all aircraft must carry transponders. There are also height and glide distance restrictions relating to flying directly over built-up areas, which are defined as those areas with provided street lighting.

 What sort of weather conditions are required for flying trikes?

Trikes are the lightest-weight aircraft category operating being less than 450 kg all-up weight. Turbulent or thermal conditions can make flying uncomfortable and strong cross-winds will make landing challenging. AirBorne trikes are rated for crosswinds of 14 knots at maximum all-up weight.

How long does it take to rig a trike for transport?

Experienced owners take no more than 30 minutes to pack the wing in its carry bag and put the trike base onto a trailer ready for transport. At your destination it will take another 30 minutes to re-assemble the trike and be ready for your first flight.